Jar-top-smoothing tool



G. S. G OODYEAR JAR TOP GMOOTHING TOOL Filed Jan. 14. 1924 Patented Juiy El, 1925.

GEORGE S. GOODYEAR, F NEAR MARION, IOWA.

I JAR-TOP-SMOOTHING TOOL.

Application filed January 14, 1924. Serial No. 686,014.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE S. GOODYEAR, a citizen of the United States, residing near Marion, in the county of Linn and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Jar-Top-Smoothing Tools, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to fruit-jars, and the object of the invention is to provide a simple tool for smoothing out the flanges of fruit-jar caps when they have become mutilated.

In removing the caps from sealed fruitjars it often becomes necessary, before the cap will unscrew, to insert a knife or other instrument under the flange, thus letting in. air and loosening it up from the rubber gasket. This action almost always crimps the flange, so that when the cap is used again, or when its use again is sought, it will not seal the jar tightly, but lets in air at the place so crimped. It is not difficult, however, to restore the cap to condition for use, by rubbing or rolling out the crimp, and the tool hereinafter described is designed to perform the operation easily and quickly.

The invention is fully described in the specification and claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a tool embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 shows a modification in the part for smoothing out crimps.

In the drawing, the numeral 5 denotes a fruit-jar, and 6 its screw cap, both of familiar construction. The cap has an inclined flange 7 adapted to fit nicely over a gasket 8 resting on an annular flange 9 of the jar. In the drawing the numerals 10 and 11 indicate crimps that have been made in the flange of the cap, as above described, or otherwise. These may be pressed out, and the flange restored to perfect shape, by an instrument adapted to rub or roll the flange while in position on the jar. As herein illustrated a simple tool for the purpose includes a handlever with an attached pressing member, and a fulcrum for the lever attachable to the ar. The device will now be described.

A forked plate 12 is adapted to partially embrace the neck of the jar below the flange 9. To this plate is connected a goose-neck 12*, preferably forked at 12 to receive the end of a hand-lever 13 pivoted thereto at 14, the pivot being so disposed with reference to the forked plate or base that a lifting pressure Wlll not cause the same to tip. To the hand-lever is attached a depending pressure member, which in its simplest form might be a shoe 15 with a lower face c0inciding with the angle of the cap-flange, and adapted to smooth out crimps by mere pressure, or rubbing pressure. In practice, however, an inclined roller 16 is preferred, mounted by a stud 17 on an arm 15*.

As jar-tops vary somewhat in size, the smoothing member is preferably mounted adjustably on the lever, as by screws 18 in a slot 19.

It will be noted in Fig. 1, where a part of the goose-neck is broken away, that provision is made for the tip of the lever so as to clear the top of the cap in applying the tool to working position thereon.

With the tool in position, as shown in Fig. 1, the operator has only to hold the ar with onehand, and with the other turn the tool around the cap, with suflicient pressure to roll or rub out the crimps. As the caps are usually formed of sheet zinc or aluminum the operation is very easily and quickly performed. Caps so smoothed out, regardless of former crookedness, are adapted to form as perfect a seal as new caps.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A tool for smoothing out the flanges of fruit-jars, comprising a forked base-plate to engage the jar-neck under its gasketflange, an overhanging goose-neck connected to said base-plate, a lever tiltably connected to said goose-neck, and a pressure member attached to the lever, and adapted to smooth out crimps in the jar-cap flange.

2. A tool for the designated purpose, com-v prising a forked, jar-engaging fulcrum, a lever. pivotally attached thereto and having a depending roller-supporting arm and a roller mounted thereon, and adapted to roll 3. A tool for the designated purpose, comout crimps in the jar-cap flange while in closing position on the jar.

prising a jar-engaging fulcrum a lever W In testimony whereof I affix my signature otally attached thereto, an adjustable roller 1n presence of two Witnesses.

support disposed on said lever opposite the fulcrum, and a depending roller mounted on GEORGE GOODYEAR said support, and adapted to smooth out -Witnesses:

crimps in the jar-cap flange While in closing J. M. ST. J OHN,

position on the jar. Buss HARTMAN.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,54:6,979, granted July 21, 1925, upon the application of George S. Goodyear, of near Marion, Iowa, for an improvement in Jar-Top-Smoothing Tools, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 1, claim 3, lines 101 and 102', strike out the Words out cramps in the jar-cap flange While in closing position on the jar and insert the same afteri the Word roll, line 99, claim 2;-and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. Signed and sealed this 3d day of November, A. D. 1925.

[SEAL] KARL FENNING,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

